Todmorden’s hopes of Lancashire League glory appear to be fading after a 56-run home defeat at home to Darwen.

They were arguably favourites to take yesterday’s spoils when skipper Andrew Sutcliffe (3-31) and spinner Hamza Ali (3-55) had the visitors 152 for nine but last pair Reece Davies (39 no) and Chris Wade (10 no) added 52 to lift the total to 204-9. John Cordingley top scored with 53.

Todmorden’s batting was again found wanting. Ben Pearson batted through with an unbeaten 51 from 120 balls but Tod slumped to 78 for six and Freddie Priestley’s 30 down the order could only help them to 148.

Darwen went above the Centre Vale men into second and the sides meet again on Bank Holiday Monday in the league T20 semi-finals at Darwen when Tod will be looking to avoid a fifth defeat of the season to their hosts in all competitions.

Umesh Karunaratne turned in a superb performance as Walsden stayed on track to repeat last year’s Pennine League title success with a six-wicket win over visitors Crompton yesterday.

The Sri Lankan took five for 32, including the wicket of top-scoring opener Sam Rigby for 59 and pro Akbar Rehman for 10.

He received strong backing from Joe Gale (four for 29) as Crompton were all out for 135, having elected to make first use of the Scott Street strip.

Walsden were 31 for three in reply but Karunaratne slammed 84 not out off 43 balls. James Rawlinson, who made four off 31 balls, was the only other batsman to depart with the score on 75.

Norden stay six points behind after bowling out Littleborough for 141 in reply to their 246 for two.

Barkisland’s relegation after five years in the Huddersfield League’s top flight was confirmed by a five-wicket defeat at home to Cawthorne.

Darren Robinson’s side made 217 for nine but that was overhauled by their mid-table visitors.

Jake Finch (63) and Jamie Summerscales (50) fared best with the bat for Barkisland but openers Ayrton Dehmel (94) and Ben Simpson (66) took Cawthorne most of the way to victory before the home bowlers made an impression.

Rastrick have lost their position of strength at the top of the Championship, following up their one-run defeat at Elland with a six-wicket loss in their crunch game at home to Shelley.

The Round Hill men, now without overseas ace Asif Afridi, totalled 176 and Shelley knocked off the runs for the loss of four wickets.